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“Yeah, you’re right about that. I mean, it’s not like we went around asking about them to know who they are. No, we heard about the epic party they always throw and decided to go. Everything else followed.” She says, sipping her mimosa.
“Yeah, one night out of the year, I get to be somebody other than me.” I say, letting my thoughts carry me away… Again I’m snapped out of it when my phone begins to ring. Snatching it up off the table, I answer on the third ring, not even checking to see who it is.
“Hello?”
“Where are you? Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” Bash yells into the phone.
“Can you please tone down your voice? I’m out to brunch with G, and you haven’t been calling me, my phone is right beside me on the table.” I mumble.
“Yes, I have been calling you, I called the house phone multiple times.”
“Your house or mine? Because the last time I checked, I’m still allowed to go to my own home whenever I want.” I growl.
“I’m sorry, darling, it’s just when I couldn’t reach you I thought something happened to you.” His voice softens and seems calmer.
“Well, why did you try the house phone first anyways? Nobody uses those.”
“Call me old fashioned I guess. Listen, I called you because we will be having dinner with my son this evening at the house. Seven o’clock sharp and I wanted to make sure you didn’t have any plans.”
“I did make plans, but it’s nothing that won’t be done by that time. Are you sure we will be having dinner this time?” I mean, I wasn’t too upset when he canceled, otherwise last week wouldn’t have happened.
“Yes, I’ve made sure of it. Now, I must go. There is still much to do before this evening. I look forward to seeing you, my love.”
“Me, too.” I whisper for his ears only with a smile on my face. I’m letting my raging hormones ruin something that’s good for me. Bash has been nothing short of nice and loving to me since before my parents died. I need to nip whatever this is that’s trying to happen to me in the bud before I mess up a really good thing. “I love you, Bash.” I whisper as the call disconnects.
“What does the dictator want, now?” G asks sarcastically, sitting her drink down on the table.
“Don’t start. We are finally gonna have that dinner with his son tonight at seven. So we have the rest of the day to go shopping and whatever we want until our hearts are content.”“You mean until about five-thirty, right, because you know it takes you forever and a day to get ready.” She snorts.
“It does not.” When I see the look on her face, I change my answer. “Okay, maybe an hour or so, but I like to take my time… Sometimes.”
“No, your ass likes to sit in the tub and read, that’s why you’re never ready.”
“I bet I’m always on time for the Cliffside parties, so what do you have to say to that?” I ask, arching my eyebrow at her, waiting for her snarky reply. When it doesn’t come, I know I won this round.
She signals for our waitress, and we pay our bill. We didn’t order too much food, so there was nothing to take with us. I wish I could take a mimosa or two to go, but I know that’s frowned upon.
“Where to next?” She asks, picking up her purse and keys.
“Let’s hit the bookstore by the mall. I want to check out this week's new releases and their bargain bins for some new reads.”
“Aren’t the unread books you have lining your shelf going to be pissed if you bring back more that you have no intention of reading?”
“Um, excuse me, I’ll have you know that I plan to read each and every one of those books… When the time is right.” I huff, passing her up and making my way to her car.
“If those books could come alive, they would kick your ass.”
“Yeah, well…” That’s it, I don’t have a good comeback, so I just shut my mouth and get in as we drive to the bookstore in question. “Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I met another guy downstairs that gave me a ride home since you were nowhere to be found. Where did you go after I was whisked away for a night of debauchery?”
“After I went to get us some drinks, I was stopped by someone that wanted to have a party of his own. You weren’t the only one that got lucky.” She smiles. “Although my guy wasn’t the same one from the last party, he knew how to work me until I couldn't be worked anymore. I slipped out around two something and came home. You were nowhere to be seen, but I figured someone snatched you.” We shared a knowing look and burst out laughing.
“Well, I’m happy our night was very eventful.”
“Now, tell me about mystery guy number three.”
“Here’s the thing, he’s not a mystery. He wasn’t wearing a mask, and he gave me his name.”
“Interesting, what did he look like?”